3 Cover Letter Mistakes That Make You Sound Generic
Even strong résumés can be sabotaged by a dull cover letter. Learn the common mistakes that signal a generic application and how to avoid them.
3 Cover Letter Mistakes That Make You Sound Generic
Hiring managers often read dozens of applications for a single position. A generic cover letter, one that could apply to any job at any company, signals that the applicant has not invested much effort. LiveCareer warns that unedited AI‑generated content and formulaic sentence structures are common giveaway signs of a cookie‑cutter letter 1. Here are three mistakes that make your cover letter sound generic and how to avoid them.
1. Failing to personalise your letter and address the reader
One of the biggest red flags is a lack of personalisation. LiveCareer notes that addressing your letter “To Whom It May Concern” feels impersonal and outdated 1. Generic greetings make it seem like you’ve sent the same letter to multiple employers. Similarly, submitting the same cover letter for every job shows little interest in the specific role. The same article emphasises that hiring managers can tell when a letter is generic and that tailoring your letter to each job is essential 1.
How to avoid it:
- Research the hiring manager or team. Whenever possible, address the letter to an individual or at least the team (e.g., “Dear Marketing Manager” or “Hi Studio Name team” 2).
- Demonstrate knowledge of the company. Mention recent projects, values or achievements that excite you. This shows you’ve done your homework and aren’t just sending a template.
- Adapt your examples to the job description. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the role. MIT’s career office advises choosing stories that match the job requirements and illustrate how your background prepared you 3.
2. Rehashing your résumé without adding value
Another common mistake is using the cover letter to repeat your résumé line by line. LiveCareer warns that “rehashing your résumé” wastes the potential of the cover letter 1. Instead of offering new insight, this approach simply restates information the recruiter has already read. MIT’s career office echoes this sentiment, encouraging candidates to use the cover letter to provide more detail about key experiences rather than duplicating résumé content 3.
How to avoid it:
- Use the letter to tell a story. Choose one or two achievements and describe them using the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result 4. Quantify your impact, such as by stating how much you increased sales or improved efficiency.
- Explain your motivation and fit. Describe why you’re excited about the role and how your values align with the company’s mission. Explain how your skills will solve the employer’s specific challenges.
- Provide context not in your résumé. If you’re making a career change or have a gap in employment, briefly explain it in the letter. Coursera highlights that cover letters are ideal for clarifying details that can’t be fully explained on a résumé 5.
3. Using vague, cliché‑ridden language
Phrases like “hard worker,” “team player” or “excellent communication skills” may be true, but without evidence they sound generic. LiveCareer identifies being too vague as a common cover‑letter mistake, noting that generic language fails to differentiate candidates 1. Hiring managers see these claims frequently and may dismiss them as unsubstantiated.
How to avoid it:
- Back up claims with specific examples. Instead of saying “I’m a strong communicator,” describe a time when your communication skills led to a concrete result, such as leading a client presentation that reduced churn by 20 % 1.
- Avoid buzzwords and jargon. Use straightforward language and action verbs to describe your accomplishments. Creative Lives suggests keeping your tone conversational and honest rather than adopting an overly formal or clichéd style 2.
- Show, don’t just tell. Quantify achievements where possible and tie them back to the employer’s needs. If the job posting mentions project management, describe a project you led and the positive outcome.
Bonus: Relying on unedited AI drafts
With AI tools like ChatGPT, it’s tempting to generate a cover letter in seconds. LiveCareer cautions that AI can produce content that is generic, repetitive and full of formulaic sentence structures 1. Creative Lives similarly warns that hiring managers can instantly spot overly polished, impersonal letters 2. If you use AI, treat its output as a rough draft and rewrite it in your own voice.
Final thoughts
Avoiding a generic cover letter requires intentionality. Personalise each letter by researching the company and addressing the hiring manager; use the space to tell compelling stories rather than repeating your résumé; and support your claims with specific examples. By steering clear of vague language and unedited AI content, you’ll craft a letter that feels authentic, demonstrates your fit and captures the hiring manager’s attention.
Tired of sounding like everyone else? Cirby.ai helps you avoid the most common cover letter traps with smart suggestions that highlight your individuality.